In ‘Celebration’ of Horse Fever’s 25th anniversary
Members of the community can still help paint the equine statue that will go on permanent display at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
Laurie Zink, the co-chair of Horse Fever 25th Anniversary, left, and Maggie Weakley, the Celebration horse artist, right, paint on Weakley’s Horse Fever horse during the Celebration Community Paint Day at the Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The vibrant, large-scale horse sculpture, designed by Maggie Weakley, started to come to life through the hands of the community on Saturday, where people added their own brushstrokes to a shared vision through the interactive paint-by-numbers event. When it is completed, Weakley’s Horse Fever horse will become part of a permanent public sculpture at The Brick and will be displayed in the courtyard just outside of the Brick City Center for the Arts. Several more Celebration Community Paint Days are planned to complete the horse for the 25th Anniversary of Horse Fever. The paint days that are currently planned are on upcoming Wednesdays on June 10, 17, 24, and July 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
If your inner Picasso or Monet has a yen to be part of the group of people who are painting the Horse Fever 25th Anniversary statue named Celebration, there is still time to get in on the fun.
On May 30, a number of people picked up brushes and started the process of painting the full-size equine, designed by local artist Maggie Weakley, at the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Brick City Center for the Arts, at 23 S. Broadway St. in downtown Ocala.
Laurie Zink was one of the co-founders of the popular Horse Fever public art project and has been deeply involved over the 25 years of its existence. She was at the community painting event on Saturday.
“Point of interest — and we told the story a lot on Saturday — Maggie gave me a paint by number family portrait for Christmas. At that dinner, I asked, ‘What if we did this on a horse? Is it possible? Can you do it?’ And Celebration was ‘born,’” Zink shared about the idea for the artwork.
“It is important to us, the Horse Fever originators, that the community is involved with this project, as it always has been in the past. I think this is an amazing idea to keep that connection going for Horse Fever and MCA,” Zink added.
“Celebration is more than a horse sculpture — it’s a living piece of community art. Every brushstroke tells a story and every person who paints it leaves a small part of themselves behind. This horse truly belongs to all of us. One of my favorite parts of this project has been watching them be creative and become part of something larger than themselves. The joy on their faces when they step back and see their contribution is unforgettable,” Weakley said.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Horse Fever, I wanted this horse to honor not only the project’s history but also the people who have made our community what it is today. Celebration is a tribute to all of them. Public art has a unique way of bringing people together. Strangers become teammates, conversations begin and memories are made — all while creating something beautiful that will be enjoyed for years to come,” she added.
Of the community painting party on May 30, the artist noted that, “We saw children, grandparents, longtime residents and first-time visitors all painting side by side. That’s the magic of this project — it reminds us that art belongs to everyone. One participant told me, ‘This is better than therapy.’ That comment perfectly captures what I’ve witnessed. Painting Celebration has been joyful, healing and meaningful for so many people.”
Weakley said one woman drove an hour and a half to participate after losing her husband just two months earlier.
“She painted the two blue theater masks on Celebration’s face in his honor. Moments like that remind me that art can help us process grief, celebrate life and stay connected to the people we love,” Weakley shared.
“When the horse is finished, it won’t just be painted — it will be filled with the stories of our community. My hope is that years from now, people will look at Celebration and remember not only what it looks like, but how it felt to be part of creating it. Celebration is exactly what its name suggests — a celebration of community, creativity, connection and the lasting legacy of Horse Fever,” she offered.
The interactive paint-by-numbers experience is designed for all ages and skill levels. Several more Celebration Community Paint Days are planned to complete the horse: Wednesdays, June 10, 17 and 24, and July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“More than just a painting event, Celebration reflects the heart of Marion County — its creativity, diversity and deep connection to both the arts and equestrian culture. Once complete, the sculpture will remain on display as a lasting landmark and symbol of what we can build together,” according to MCA.
The 25th Anniversary of Horse Fever also includes a chance to win by raffle Tribute 25, a one-of-a-kind anniversary horse painted by renowned equine artist and inaugural Horse Fever artist Sharon Crute.
To learn more, go to mcaocala.org/horse-fever-25
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